Landlords should have "good relationship" with tenants ? buy to let mortgages

27 February 2009

Buy to let investors have been urged to maintain a "good relationship" with their tenants so that any financial problems that may arise as a result of the economic downturn can be discussed.

Simon Gordon, head of communications at the National Landlords Association (NLA), said that good communication between owners and occupants can help to overcome obstacles.

And he urged landlords to contact lenders if they are struggling to repay buy to let mortgages, as well as keeping tenants informed of what their position is.

"The primary advice is probably to have a good relationship with your tenants ... so that if either you or the tenant get into any difficulties ... you can talk," Mr Gordon remarked.

It comes following a report from the NLA that showed there were more than 30,000 telephone calls to its advice line over the last 12 months.

The body noted that 74 per cent of these enquiries were from landlords seeking guidance on how to deal with rental arrears.